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Council buy former Magistrates Court to boost Westside project

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City of Wolverhampton Council's bid to attract investors for the multi million pound Westside development has been given a further boost.

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The council has confirmed the purchase of the former Magistrates' Court on Darlington Street from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) following negotiations; as the previously proposed Magistrates Court development will not be progressing on this site.

The site has been added to the council's existing landholdings across the regeneration area with a view to comprehensively developing the area for leisure led mixed use.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "The development of Westside will play an important part in the wider regeneration of the city and we want to make sure we can make it as attractive as possible to potential developers.

"The purchase of the former Magistrates Court makes strategic sense and will help the council move the project forward.

"Westside is the largest mixed leisure, commercial and residential development opportunity in Wolverhampton city centre and we have ambitious plans to transform the area."

Maintenance costs for the site will be met by continued interim use of the site for car parking.

Work is already well underway with the first stage of regeneration at Westside, with The Way - Wolverhampton's new £5.5 million Youth Zone - set to officially open its doors in January.

Heantun House on Salop Street is to be demolished as well as the Market Hall, with traders from the indoor market moving across Market Square to sit alongside the outdoor market.

Westside is a prominent gateway to the city centre and the regeneration will promote stronger linkages between the new Sainsbury's store to the west of the ring road and the core retail centre.